“But it’s a good investment and it saves money, because you have less pupil disruption, and a happier workforce and better outcomes — not just education outcomes. The teachers know the children better, so they can pick up on issues and intervene early.

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The number of teachers has fallen by 3,700 since 2007 — down to 48,746 in 2016.

And Mr Adamson’s comments come as the Scottish Government struggles to close the attainment gap between deprived kids and youngsters from more affluent backgrounds.

SNP reforms include cutting councils out of decision making and giving more power to headteachers.

Scottish Labour’s education spokesman Iain Gray, said: “This is an important intervention from the commissioner, particularly about the impact increased teacher numbers can have around child health and the criminal justice system.